It will come as no surprise to any long-term resident that London comes alive in December. As the lights go up and the capital’s luxury hotels fill with glittering Christmas trees, seemingly every bar, restaurant and boutique in the city is also hosting its own drinks party, special shopping event or collaborative pop-up. We’ve scouted out some of the best festive events in London in December 2023. Plus, because there is such a thing as too much Christmas, a few which have absolutely nothing to do with Santa or sleigh bells.

The restaurants: Dear Jackie, Dishoom Battersea and Gaia

From one of London’s newest hotels, Broadwick Soho, comes a new Italian restaurant, Dear Jackie. Designed for refined dining and night-time glamour, situated on the lower ground floor of the hotel, Dear Jackie’s is helmed by head chef Harry Faddy (formerly of Aquavit London and The River Cafe). Star dishes include seared hand-dived scallops in champagne and trout roe, spaghetti vongole with bottarga and datterini tomatoes, and Cornish lamb with puntarelle and anchovy. 

Dishoom’s Battersea restaurant, opening on 6 December, will continue to share the team’s deep love for Bombay, its food, rich history and vibrant culture. From hearty breakfasts to street food staples, biryani to the curries of Mohammed Ali Road, and the famed grills of Colaba, the menu at Dishoom Battersea will feature a chef’s special dish: the Bhatti Chicken. Found in many Bombay eateries under the name Black Chicken, and similar to tandoori chicken, it’s marinated in black spices for an earthy, smoky flavour and striking dark hue. Dogs will also be welcome at Dishoom Battersea – the only Dishoom café where guests can dine inside with canine friends.

Greek restaurant Gaia is set to debut in Mayfair on 10 December. Named after the Greek goddess of earth, the 154-cover restaurant will serve menus co-created by chefs Izu Ani and Orestis Kotefas, who have also overseen outposts in Doha and Monte Carlo. From the sapphire of the Aegean to the rugged terrain of the Peloponnese, diners are invited to revel in the simplicity of Mediterranean culture, breaking bread with friends and family. Beyond the immense fish counter (served in various ways including raw, grilled, pan-fried with aromatic harissa or salt-baked), discover mezze plates with traditional dips, larger dishes including kritharaki – seafood orzo studded with calamari, prawns, and clams – and paidakia arnisia: lamb cutlets served with tzatziki and pitta. 

Dear Jackie is open now at Broadwick Soho, 20 Broadwick Street, W1F 8HT, visit broadwicksoho.com; Dishoom Battersea opens on 6 December at 42 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8BJ, visit dishoom.com; Gaia opens on 10 December at 50 Dover Street, W1S 4NY, visit gaia-restaurants.com

The bars: Bar Antoine at Four Seasons Park Lane and Cabaret: The Kit Kat Club at Selfridges

Pavyllon London, the newly-opened Mayfair restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, has opened an impressive new standalone bar: Bar Antoine. At the heart of the Four Seasons Hotel at Park Lane, the bar is a reflection of Alléno’s long-standing love affair with London and his firm belief that hospitality forms the backbone of the city’s social scene. Head of bars Michele Lombardi has devised as Ikigai menu, celebrating the Japanese concept of giving a person a sense of purpose. The 12-strong cocktail list includes Soulful Sip, blending Matcha No3 Gin, jasmine, grapefruit, sudachi, Sakura vermouth and rice milk, and the umami Hatsukoi with Seventy One Gin, Cacao Blanc and celery bitters. Each cocktail on the menu is paired with sushi, creative small bites and delicious plates carefully curated to enhance the cocktail experience.

Elsewhere, Selfridges is set to welcome a scene-stealing collaboration with the West End theatre production Cabaret. Aptly named Cabaret, this takeover will result in a unique bar experience where the seven-time Olivier award-winning show takes residency in the lounge on the fourth floor of Selfridges for the Christmas season. Imagined by costume designer, Tom Scutt, this is the destination for grown-up festive celebrations that are both flamboyant and dramatic, in the centre of W1. Guests can enjoy a celebration menu of small plates and creative champagne cocktails, wines and cuvées from Moët and Chandon, while being transported to Weimar Germany by the smash-hit production's dancers at select moments throughout the day.

Bar Antoine is open at Hamilton Place, W1J 7DR, visit fourseasons.com; Cabaret: The Kit Kat Club at Selfridges is open at 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB, visit selfridges.com 

The workshops: White truffle masterclass at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester and festive workshops at Battersea Power Station 

Image: Food Story Media Ltd

Chef patron of three Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Jean-Philippe Blondet, will be hosting a one-off white truffle masterclass in the kitchen with Meera Cortesi – otherwise known as the Queen of Truffles – on 6 December. Given the special mushroom is at its best in December, Blondet will demonstrate tricks and tips for using it at home, from risotto to baked eggs. Cortesi, who became London’s first female truffle dealer in 2005, will share details on the sourcing and growing of truffles and how she went from working in private banking to truffle hunting in Tuscany. The masterclass costs £350 and also includes lunch in the kitchen with the chefs trying different truffle-based dishes, with wine pairings by the head sommelier too.

Getting into the Christmas spirit, Battersea Power Station is hosting a range of festive workshops throughout December. From lino printing and card making with Lavender Print School on 12 December to luxury florist Moyses Stevens’ hosting a luxurious Christmas decorating workshop on 15 December, book your spot now. 

The White Truffle Masterclass at The Dorchester will take place on 6 December at 53 Park Lane, W1K 1QA, visit alainducasse-dorchester.com; Festive workshops at Battersea Power Station are on 12 and 15 December, visit batterseapowerstation.co.uk

The exhibitions: Dreamland at Maddox Gallery, Voices in British Art at Kerridge’s Bar and Grill, A Celebration of Dogs with Jobs at Saatchi Gallery

Images: Russell Young

British-American artist Russell Young explores celebrity, seduction and desire in his new exhibition from 1 December at Maddox Gallery in Mayfair. Titled Dreamland, the new exhibition will mark the next chapter in Young’s exploration of celebrity as a cultural phenomenon, following his debut solo show with Maddox last winter. Depicted in the sun-drenched colours of California, his art is hand-pulled on canvas or linen using a Warholian silkscreen printing technique, with the artist mixing the paints himself from pigments he has gathered from all over the world. Previously unseen works featuring Brigitte Bardot and Jimi Hendrix are joined by The Beatles, Mick Jagger and Kate Moss, captured at the height of their fame. 

Elsewhere, Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge has unveiled a permanent art exhibition named Voices in British Art at Kerridge’s Bar and Grill at the Corinthia Hotel, in association with gallerist West Contemporary. The exhibition will include works from a selection of leading British artists, from stalwarts like Damien Hurst and Gavin Turk to up-and-coming ingenues such as The Cameron Twins, a young artist duo commissioned by Kerridge to create a limited edition series of culinary-themed prints which will be sold in aid of FareShare, the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger and food waste. It would be rude not to sample Kerridge’s delectable menu while you’re at it too… 

Running from 10-18 December, Saatchi Gallery will host Dogs with Jobs: an exhibition created in collaboration with private members' club George and The Caring Family Foundation and The Kennel Club Charitable Trust to celebrate the work of our incredible four-legged friends. There are currently around 7,000 people in the UK who rely on a registered service dog, and the cost of each support dog is approximately £36,000 – the Kennel Club Charitable Trust sponsors more than 30 dogs to become specially trained companions to adults and children. In an effort to raise funds to continue this crucial work, The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has partnered with world-renowned photographer Rankin to curate a bespoke exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, highlighting some of the UK’s most inspiring service dogs, from hospital therapy Huskies to police force Shiba Inus. 

Dreamland is open at 12 Berkeley Street, W1J 8DT, visit maddoxgallery.com; Voices in British Art is open at Kerridge’s Bar and Grill, 10 Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5AE, visit kerridgesbarandgrill.co.uk; A Celebration of Dogs with Jobs opens on 10 December at Saatchi Gallery, King's Road, SW3 4RY, visit saatchigallery.com

The shopping: Bond Street, Lavazza, Crockett & Jones and Neill Strain Floral Couture

For all your shopping needs this Christmas, head to London’s iconic Bond Street, packed with illustrious names, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Loewe, and Fendi. Having just emerged from an impressive festive makeover, discover the Crown Jewels-inspired festive decorations and Ralph Lauren Giving Tree, in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, while efficiently ticking off your Christmas gift list. 

Cult Italian coffee brand Lavazza has opened its London flagship in Fitzrovia, creating a unique experience with the help of renowned artists and Michelin-starred chefs. The coffee-shop-turned-cocktail-bar will see coffee transformed into ‘Coffeetails’, including negroni cold brews. Elsewhere, discover the Pasticceria, which serves a signature pastry offering by chef Marco Pedron, available from breakfast through to afternoon tea, while a new gastronomy menu will also be launched by Michelin-starred chef Federico Zanasi, with dishes including homemade maritozzo with burrata and crispy octopus, and focaccia with stracciatella cheese, mortadella and pistachio pesto. Trust us, this is more than your average coffee shop… 

If you need some more shopping inspiration, head to Crockett & Jones’ new store at 77 Jermyn Street. Offering an array of signature styles, state-of-the-art interiors and innovative technology, the shop aims to be a one-stop destination for all your shoe needs. In celebration of the launch, Crockett & Jones has created a new loafer in shell cordovan – a unique material that has become synonymous with the brand. They're guaranteed to sell out in no time, so don’t say we didn’t warn you. 

Floral couture expert, Neill Strain, has opened its third luxury boutique in Mayfair just in time for Christmas. Due to the ongoing success of the brand’s Belgravia boutique and popular concession in Harrods, the new florist aims to become the go-to destination for spectacular arrangements, perfectly packaged bouquets, and floral works of art. There’ll also be luxury gift inspiration such as fragranced candles, rare orchid planters and other unusual plants displayed in unique, handmade glass or ceramic vases – there’s no excuse not to get the flower lover in your life the perfect present now. 

Visit bondstreet.co.uk; Lavazza is open at 23-24 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7HU, visit lavazza.co.uk; Crockett & Jones is open at 77 Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6NP, visit crockettandjones.com; Neill Strain Floral Couture is open at 8 Davies Street, W1K 3DW, visit neillstrain.com

The event: The ByRo Insider

Fashion rental app By Rotation is hosting its first IRL event, the ByRo Insider 2023, on 2 December at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Pall Mall, London. The festive event will consist of a series of inspiring panel talks by top 'rotators' and industry experts, such as Chrissy Rutherford, Estée Lalonde and Ayesha Ofori, as well as a fireside chat with By Rotation’s founder and CEO Eshita Kabra. The event will also feature an exclusive Meet Your Style Match activity in partnership with Bumble, where you’ll go speed-dating with fellow rotators to find your style match. Don’t miss out on the exclusive cocktail hour and a New Year manifestation workshop, where you’ll create personalised gem bracelets with Seven Collective. 

The ByRo Insider will take place on 2 December at Nash House, Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, SW1Y 5AH, visit byrotation.com

Read more: The best Christmas markets in London